Butcher&#39;s block.



F. J. SCHMITT.

BUTCHERS BLOCK.

Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

FREDERICK J. SGHMITT, F PETOSKEY, MICHIGAN.

BUTCHER S BLOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

Application filed October 6, 1915. Serial No. 54,368.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK J. SonMrrT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Petoskey, in the county of Emmet and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Butchers Blocks; and I do hereby declare I the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the artto which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in butchers blocks, and is intended to supply a sanitary block which will not warp or crack, and will present a substantially liquid-tight surface when in use.

My invention will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in Figure 1 is a. perspective view showing the complete block mounted on its support; Fig. 2 shows a section along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, but on a larger scale; Fig. 3 shows a section through the block along the line 33 of Fig. 2, the dowels being shown in plan; and Fig. A is a detail showing one of the dowels with the wedge for spreading the ends of the same.

A represents the body of the block, which is built up of a series of close fitting blocks, dove-tailed together as shown most clearly in Fig. 3, and with the grain of the wood running vertically. These blocks are locked together against lateral expansion and contraction by means of a series of wooden dowels B, which fit snugly in diagonal holes bored in the block. These dowels are split at each end and are provided with wedges b. When the dowel is inserted the wedge protrudes from the inner end thereof, and as the dowel is shoved toward the end of its travel the wedge brings up against the end of the bore, and by hammering the dowel in the wedge is caused to pro ect lnto the end of the'same and to spread it, as

from the two ends.

and puts the strain on the dowel on each piece separately; that is, one of these pieces may be expanded or contracted a little without putting all ofthe strain on the dowel In other words, if any individual piece is moved a little, owing to expansion of contraction it adds to the lockmg device of the dowel by squeezing into the wood from the pressure on the other pieces on either side of it, and at the same time it does not add any strain lengthwise of the dowel. For instance, if the block eX- pands in width, that is, in the thickness of pieces of which it is built up, the dowel locks on each individual joint. Again the dowel serves as a positive lock against longitudinal movement of the separate pieces of which the block is composed.

It will be noted that the inner ends of the dowels overlap so as to tie the opposite sides of the block together. Furthermore, by having the dowels of wood or vother material, having substantially the same expansive properties of the wood of which the block is composed, dueto the absorption of moisture or other causes, a tight joint will be maintained. It has been found in practice that butchers blocks made with metal bolts passing therethrough cause the heads of the bolts to tear off when the block expands, due to the absorption of moisture.

While I have shown, in Figs. 2 and 3, a single series of dowels, it will be obvious that these may be distributed through the block as may be desired.

The block is mounted upon a suitable platform 0, supported by the frame D and the legs E, and may be secured to said platform in any convenient way, as by wood screws C; but in practice it will not be necessary to secure the block in place, as it fits snugly in its housing and the block is preferably made reversible.

Surrounding the lower portion of the block I provide a suitable sheathing F, preferably faced with glass, or other non-absorbent material H, mounted in a metal frame Gr. Above this sheathing I provide a suitable shelf I and rounded molding I, which prevents accumulation of any foreign matter at the joint between the shelf and the block.

I do not mean to limit myself to any particular form of support for the block, or sheathing for the sides of the block, as these may be varied at will.

Having thus deseribed my invention'what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A butchers block consisting of a series of layers of blocks fitting together, and a series of diagonally-disposed dowels of similar material as the blocks having their inner ends'enlarged and overlapping and engaging said blocks to firmly secure the same t0- gether, substantially as described.

2. A butchers block consisting of a series of layers of wooden blocks dove-tailed together and fitting snugly sideby side, and a series of diagonallvdisposed Wooden clowels having their inner ends overlapping and engaging said blocks to firmly secure the same together, said'dowels beingprovided with Wedges inserted inthe ends of the same to anchor thedowels to the bodyof the a I '29; In testimony whereof, I afiiX my signa- 7 block, substantially as" described.

ture.

YFREDERIG 'J. sonMITT. V

Gobies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner- ,013 Patents, 7

7 Washington, D. C. i 7 1 

